EP0577088B2 - Displacement information detection apparatus - Google Patents
Displacement information detection apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0577088B2 EP0577088B2 EP93110388A EP93110388A EP0577088B2 EP 0577088 B2 EP0577088 B2 EP 0577088B2 EP 93110388 A EP93110388 A EP 93110388A EP 93110388 A EP93110388 A EP 93110388A EP 0577088 B2 EP0577088 B2 EP 0577088B2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- light
- grating
- receiving
- scale
- diffraction grating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 42
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 31
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000001459 lithography Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 22
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 19
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 18
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 16
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 15
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000002194 synthesizing effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 8
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000206 photolithography Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001427 coherent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010894 electron beam technology Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001259 photo etching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004304 visual acuity Effects 0.000 description 2
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorane Chemical compound F KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001444 catalytic combustion detection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000040 hydrogen fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001721 transfer moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
- G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
- G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
- G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
- G01D5/347—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells using displacement encoding scales
- G01D5/34707—Scales; Discs, e.g. fixation, fabrication, compensation
- G01D5/34715—Scale reading or illumination devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
- G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
- G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
- G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
- G01D5/36—Forming the light into pulses
- G01D5/38—Forming the light into pulses by diffraction gratings
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a displacement information detection apparatus used in the field of machine tools, measuring apparatus, and the like in order to detect linear shifting and rotary shifting status of an object; a detection device suitable therefor and a drive control apparatus using said displacement information detection apparatus.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the main portions of a typical encoder according to a prior art arrangement.
- the encoder shown in the figure comprises two slit rows; a slit row provided in a main scale 64 and slit rows formed in a secondary scale 65.
- a beam outgoing from a light-emitting element 61 is bent by a mirror 62, collimated by a lens 63 and incident on the main scale 64.
- the main scale 64 consists of a transparent material such as glass and the like or a thin metal plate, on which the slit row consisting of transmitting slit-shaped apertures of the same width and shielded portions is formed by means of etching, or the like.
- the beams transmitted through the main scale 64 are incident on the secondary scale 65 in which the apertures have the same intervals as those of the apertures in the main scale 64.
- the beams transmitted through the apertures of the secondary scale 65 are received by a light receiving means 66.
- the main scale 64 is fixed to the object to be measured (not shown), but is capable of relative motion, with respect to a detection head unit 60 indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1 , in the direction indicated by the arrow A.
- Light or dark signals due to the shutter effect by the apertures of the main scale 64 and those of the secondary scale 65, are generated on the surface of the light-receiving means 66 accompanying a motion of the main scale 64.
- the light receiving means 66 detects the light or dark signals, thereby measuring shifting states of the main scale 64, that is, shifting states of the object to be measured.
- the conventional encoder shown in Fig. 1 is already small and is manufactured at low cost, the number of components thereof is large, which has a limitation to minituarization of the whole apparatus. Further, it is difficult to adjust the component position in assembling the encoder, which also has a limitation to the reduction of cost.
- GB-A-2 099 993 discloses a photoelectric displacement encoder in which a plurality of light receiving portions are laminated on a glass plate as a substrate, thereby forming a grating.
- Document JP-A-3-279812 discloses as closest prior art a reflecting type encoder using three gratings.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the main portions of a conventional linear encoder.
- Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the main portions of an encoder according to a first example.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the main portions of the light-receiving means shown in Fig.2 .
- Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a second example.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a third example.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a fourth example.
- Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device.
- Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device.
- Figs. 9A and 9B are schematic view showing a light-receiving device.
- Figs. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device.
- Figs. 11A and 11B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device.
- Figs. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing a light receiving device.
- Figs. 13A to 13C are schematic views showing a light-receiving device.
- Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of the construction of the information relating to displacement detection apparatus.
- Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a drive system provided with the information relating to displacement detection apparatus.
- Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 1.
- Fig. 17 is a schematic top view showing Embodiment 1.
- Fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an unclaimed example.
- Fig. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 2.
- Fig. 20 is a schematic top view showing a lead frame unit of Embodiment 2.
- Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 3.
- Fig. 22 is a schematic top view of a lead frame unit of Embodiment 3.
- Fig. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 4.
- Fig 24 is a schematic top view showing Embodiment 4.
- Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 5.
- Fig. 26 is a schematic top view showing a lead frame unit of Embodiment 5.
- the encoder casts a beam from a light-emitting element on a scale on which slit-shaped apertures are periodically formed.
- the beams transmitted through the apertures of said scale are received by a light-receiving means which has apertures at least one of the light receiving surface, wherein the intervals of the apertures are the same as those of the apertures of said scale.
- Information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving means is detected on the basis of the output signal from the light-receiving means.
- said light-receiving means has a plurality of separate light-receiving elements on a common base member, and apertures are integrally formed at least on a part of the light-receiving surfaces of the plurality of the light-receiving elements, wherein the intervals of the apertures are the same as those of the apertures of the above-mentioned scale and phases of the apertures of respective light-receiving elements shift from each other in the direction in which the scale moves.
- said light-receiving means has a plurality of separate light-receiving elements on a common base member, and some of the light-receiving elements have apertures integrally formed on the light-receiving surfaces at the same intervals as those of the apertures of said scale, wherein signals from the light-receiving elements having apertures are used to detect information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving means while signals from the light-receiving elements without apertures are used as reference signals.
- a coherent beam is incident on a first diffraction grating and the diffracted light from the first diffraction grating is incident on a second diffraction grating formed on the scale.
- Two beams of diffracted light of predetermined orders from the second diffraction grating are conducted to form an interference fringe on the light-receiving surfaces of light-receiving elements opposed to the scale, wherein slit-shaped apertures are integrally formed on the light-receiving surfaces of the light-receiving elements at the same intervals as those of the interference fringe and information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving elements is detected on the basis of the output signals from the light-receiving elements.
- Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the main portions of an encoder according to a first example
- Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a light-receiving means in the apparatus shown in Fig.2 .
- reference numeral 1 denotes a light-emitting element such as an LED, and the like
- reference numeral 2 denotes a mirror, which reflects and deflects a beam emitted from the light-emitting element 1.
- a lens (collimator lens) 3 collimates the beam deflected by the mirror 2 and cast it on a scale 4.
- the scale 4 is a made of a transparent base material or a thin metal plate having a slit row 4a which serves as a grating, where transparent slit-shaped apertures and shielded portions are periodically formed by means of etching, or the like.
- the scale 4 is fixed to an object to be measured (not shown).
- Reference numeral 5 denotes a light-receiving means. As shown in Fig. 3 , the light-receiving means 5 has a light-receiving element 12 on a base member 11 and an electrode 13 attached to the light-receiving element 12. A slit row 5a serving as a grating unit is formed on the surface of the light-receiving element 12. The slit row 5a may be formed by, besides etching, the photo-lithography method using a semiconductor exposure apparatus, for example.
- the beam emitted from the light-emitting element 1 is bent by the mirror 2, collimated by the lens 3 and cast on the scale 4.
- beams which pass through the apertures of the slit row 4a and those of the slit row 5a of the light-receiving means 5 are received by the light-receiving element 12.
- the passing beams are modulated due to the shutter effect of the apertures of the slit row 4a of the scale 4 and those of the slit row 5a of the light-receiving means 5.
- the modulated beams are received by the light-receiving element 12, thereby obtaining shifting information such as a shifting amount of the scale 4, (that is, of the measured object), and the like on the basis of the signals from the light-receiving element 12 by the well-known methods.
- the secondary scale 65 and the light-receiving means 66 which are two separate components in the conventional example shown in Fig. 1 , are assembled as one component, thereby miniaturizing the whole body of the encoder.
- the slit rows and the light-receiving elements are assembled in the conventional encoder, they are constructed as one component in this embodiment and positioning between the slit row and the light-receiving element is not necessary, thereby facilitating the assembly and reducing cost.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a light-receiving means 5 in the encoder according to a second example.
- This example has a construction which is similar to that of the first example shown in Fig. 2 except that the light-receiving surface of a light-receiving element 22 is divided into four areas 22a to 22d and that slit row gratings 24a to 24d having different phases from one another are provided respectively on said areas.
- reference numeral 21 denotes a base plate, and light-receiving elements 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d receive beams and convert them into electric signals. Electrodes 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d respectively attached to the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d take out signals. Slit rows 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d provided respectively on the surfaces of the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d consist of apertures having the same intervals as those of the apertures of the slit row 4a of the scale 4.
- electrodes 23a to 23d are formed respectively on separate light-receiving elements 22a to 22d on the base plate 21.
- Slit rows 24a to 24d are formed on the surfaces of the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d. Note that the slit rows 24a to 24d may be formed by photo-lithography. These slit rows 24a to 24d are arranged so that their phases shift from one another in the direction in which the scale 4 moves.
- a plurality of signals having different phases from one another are obtained from the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d, and shifting information such as the shifting amount, the shifting direction, and the like of the measured object is obtained on the basis of said signals by means of well-known methods.
- one light-receiving element is divided into a plurality of light-receiving elements which output signals having different phases from one another. Accordingly, even when the number of signals further increases, only one mechanism is required to mechanically hold the light-receiving elements, thereby easily minimizing size of the unit, miniaturizing the apparatus and reducing cost.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a light-receiving means 5 in the encoder according to a third example.
- This example has a construction which is similar to that of the above-mentioned second example except that some of the plurally divided light-receiving elements are utilized to obtain reference signals.
- reference numeral 31 denotes a base member, and light-receiving elements 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d receive beams and convert them into electric signals. Electrodes 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d attached respectively to the light-receiving elements 32a to 32d take out electric signals. Slit rows 34a and 34b provided on the surfaces of the light-receiving elements consist of apertures having the same intervals at those of the slit row 4a of the scale 4.
- the light-receiving means of this embodiment is provided with separate light-receiving elements 32a to 32d on the base plate 31 and the electrodes 33a to 33d attached to respective light-receiving elements.
- Slit rows 34a and 34b are formed on the light-receiving elements 32a and 32b. Note that the slit rows 34a and 34b may be formed on the light-receiving elements by photo-lithography. These slit rows 34a and 34b are arranged so that their phases shift from each other in the direction in which the scale 4 moves, and signals having different phases are output from the light-receiving elements 34a and 34b.
- Light-receiving elements 32c and 32d are serially connected with electrodes, thereby obtaining reference signals.
- the light-receiving means 5 shown in Fig. 5 serves as the light-receiving means shown in Fig. 2 .
- the beam emitted from the light-emitting element 1 and bent by the mirror 2 is collimated by the lens 3, transmitted through the apertures of the slit row 4a formed on the scale 4 and received by the light-receiving means 5.
- the light-receiving elements 32c and 32d monitor, as reference signals, change in the amount of light received by the light-receiving means 5 due to change in output of the light-emitting element 1, change in transmissibility caused by the shift of the scale 4, and the like. Accordingly, stable information of movement without offset is obtained, for example, by correcting the electric signals from the light-receiving elements 32a and 32b so as to compensate the change in the amount of light on the basis of said reference signals.
- the light-receiving means of this example can further improve resolving power by electrically dividing the direct signal.
- this example realizes not only a small-size, unexpensive apparatus but an encoder capable of measuring information of movement with precision regardless of change in the amount of light.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a fourth example applied to an encoder of interference type.
- a light-emitting element 41 emits a coherent beam.
- Reference numeral 42 denotes a reflecting element, and a lens 43 collimates the beam from the light-emitting element 41.
- a diffraction grating (first diffraction grating) 44 diffracts the beam transmitted through the lens 43.
- a diffraction grating (second diffraction grating) 20a is-formed, which is fixed to the object to be measured (not shown).
- the diffraction grating 20a of the scale 20 and the diffraction grating 44 are arranged to be opposite to each other.
- Light-receiving means 45 and 46 are provided with respective slit rows 45a and 46b, which are integrally formed on respective surfaces of the light-receiving elements.
- the divergent beam emitted from the light-emitting element 41 provided horizontally in an container (not shown) has its course bent by the reflecting element 42, is transmitted through and diffracted by the diffraction grating 44 formed on the rear side of a glass plate of a window, and is divided and emitted as the 0th-order diffracted light R 0 , the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R -1 , and so on.
- the beam R 0 rectilinearly advancing through the diffraction grating 44 is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on the diffraction grating 20a formed on the scale 20 to be divided the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 , and so on.
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 and the (-) lst-order diffracted light R -1 which are diffracted by the diffraction grating 44, are reflected and diffracted respectively at points P2 and P3 on the diffraction grating, and the (-) 1st-order diffracted light R +1 -1 obtained from the beam R +1 and the (+) lst-order diffracted light R -1 +1 obtained from the beam R -1 are respectively interfered with the beam R 0 +1 on the light-receiving means 45 and the beam R 0 -1 on the light-receiving means 46.
- the light-receiving means 45 and 46 When the pitch of the slit rows 45a and 46b formed on the light-receiving means 45 and 46 is the same as the pitch of the interference fringe, the light-receiving means 45 and 46 generates signals which is expressed as: sin 4 ⁇ ⁇ X / P wherein
- the number of components of the encoder of interference type is large, and the positional precision of each component is very strict, where positioning must be done in the order of micrometers. Accordingly, quantity production is difficult and the cost is hard to reduce.
- the encoder can be miniaturized because a light-receiving element having a diameter larger than that of the beam spares the lens and the number of the components is reduced by forming the slit row integrally with the light-receiving element.
- the encoder can realize quantity production because the problem of precise positioning of the light-receiving elements and the slit rows, which makes it difficult to perform positioning in prior art, can be avoided.
- the encoder can facilitate design of the optical system because signals of desired phases can be obtained by forming the slit rows 45a and 46b so that their phases shift from each other. Also, it is easy to realize a stable encoder which is daunting against non-uniformity in reflectance of the scale, or the like by providing separate light-receiving elements on which beams transmitted through different areas of the slit row are respectively incident, wherein signals having four different phases are output.
- the encoder can prevent the beams returning from the surfaces of the diffraction gratings from being incident on the light-receiving elements because the light path for advancing light and the light path for returning light are separated from each other and division of the beams and synthesis thereof are performed at different positions of the diffraction grating.
- the encoder can be easily miniaturized and thinned because the light path for advancing light and the light path for returning light are separated from each other so that a short-focus micro-lens can be formed and that the distance between the light-emitting element and the lens can be reduced.
- the encoder can be easily miniaturized because the beam from the light-emitting element has its course bent by the reflecting element so as to obtain a sufficient distance between the lens and the light-emitting element, as long as a desired focal distance, even if the glass plate to which the lens is fixed is located close to the light-emitting element.
- the encoder can have not only small size but also high precision and high resolving power because the pitch of the diffraction grating on the scale is fine enough to spatially separate the beams of diffracted light from each other in order to facilitate miniaturization.
- the light-receiving element generates electric signals corresponding to the beams incident on the light-receiving portion(s), and is provided with the grating pattern(s) integrally formed on said light-receiving portion(s) by the lithography technique.
- the displacement detection apparatus detects relative displacement of the object to be measured with respect to the light-receiving element on the basis of change in the phase of the stripes (fringe) formed by the beam from the measured object.
- the light-receiving element is provided with the light-receiving portion(s) having a grating pattern wherein output signals are applied to the light-receiving portion(s) in response to the beams which form said stripes (fringe) on the light-receiving portion(s) and the grating pattern is integrally formed on the light-receiving element.
- Preferred realizations may include grating patterns: which are made of resist material; which are wiring patterns; which are formed on a transparent layer covering a semiconductor layer; which are formed by at least one of the P layer and the N layer of a semiconductor layer; and the like.
- grating patterns can be formed by lithography technique, which will be disclosed in the following embodiments.
- Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the light-receiving element.
- Fig. 7B shows cross-sections a-a' and b-b' indicated in the top view Fig. 7A in one view.
- the portion indicated by reference numeral 50 has the same construction as a typical silicon photodiode, and an N layer 52 and a P layer are subsequently laminated on a cathode electrode 51 at the bottom of the portion 50 to form a PN junction. Further, as SiO 2 film 54 for protection is formed on the P layer 53.
- a film 55 made of transmitting material such as SiO 2 , or the like is further formed on the SiO 2 film 54 by, for example, the film forming techniques such as spin-coat, and so on.
- the transmitting (material) film 55 is coated with a photo-resist.
- the film is exposed, via mask on which the grating patterns are drawn, to light; otherwise, the grating patterns are drawn with an electric beam or a laser beam, and then exposure is performed. Only unnecessary portions of the resist are removed by etching with hydrogen fluoride, and the like so that the remaining resist forms the gratings 56 (diffraction gratings) on the transmitting film 55.
- part of the SiO 2 film 54 covering the P layer is removed by photo-etching in order to form anode electrodes 57 of aluminum, or the like.
- anode electrodes 57 of aluminum, or the like As shown in the top view, two anode electrodes corresponding to two channels are formed, thereby providing the light-receiving portions so that a pair of signals having different phases from each other can be output from the elements by forming a pair of gratings, whose phases shift from each other, on the corresponding light-receiving portions.
- the grating patterns are integrally formed on the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving element to realize a simple, small-size light-receiving element.
- the light-receiving portions and the grating patterns can be easily constructed integrally, thereby restricting the positional relation between the gratings 56 and the light-receiving portions (or light-receiving element) with very high precision.
- the assembly processes of a displacement sensor can be facilitated, and the displacement sensor can be miniaturized.
- the distance between the gratings 56 and the P layer 53, that is, the light-receiving surfaces must be sufficiently greater than the wavelength (operating wavelength) of light incident on the light-receiving element.
- the cross-sectional shape of the gratings 56 is not limited to rectangular shapes, but may be formed in any optimal shape (for example, blaze, and so on) according to the optical designing.
- the light-receiving element in the above constitution has the transmitting film 55 on which the gratings 56 are formed, the gratings may be formed immediately, without forming the transmitting film 55, over the SiO 2 film 54.
- the gratings 56 of the above-mentioned light-receiving element are made of the photo-resist.
- Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a further light-receiving element.
- (diffraction) gratings are formed as aluminum wiring patterns which also function as anode electrodes 57.
- the aluminum wirings may be connected with the anode electrodes 53, otherwise, they may be separated from the anode electrodes 53, but connected externally with the cathod electrode, the circuit ground, or the like.
- Figs. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing another light-receiving element, which is provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion.
- a portion 50 is a typical silicon photodiode which is the same as those of the embodiments shown in Figs. 7A to 8B .
- This light-receiving element dispenses with the transmitting film 55 of the element shown in Figs. 8A and 8B , and has a (diffraction) grating which is formed as an aluminum wiring pattern functioning as an anode electrode 57 immediately formed over the SiO 2 film 54.
- Figs. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing still another light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion.
- the shape of the P layer is different from that of the P layer of the embodiment shown in Figs. 9A and 9B , wherein the P layer is not formed on the portions shielded with the aluminum wiring constituting the grating, that is, the P layer is formed in the shape of a grating so as to reduce capacitance of the PN junction and increase speed of response of the element.
- Figs. 11A and 11B are schematic views showing a still further light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion.
- a portion 50 is a typical silicon photodiode.
- an SiO 2 film serving as the transmitting film 55 is formed, by the spin-coat method, on the SiO 2 film 54 on the portion 50 which functions as a typical silicon photodiode, and the phase (diffraction) grating is formed by removing part of the transmitting film 55 by photo-etching.
- Figs. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing another light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion.
- the same members as those in Figs. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the P layer 53 itself which is the light-receiving portion of the portion 50 serving as a typical silicon photodiode, is formed in the shape of a grating.
- Figs. 13A, 13B and 13C are schematic views showing light-receiving element, which is also provided only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion.
- an anode electrode 57 (including an aluminum wiring portion) is shown as transparent, only in these Figs. 13A to 13C.
- Fig. 13B and Fig. 13C respectively show the cross-section a-a' and the cross-section b-b' indicated in the top view Fig. 13A .
- the part on which the grating is not formed is shielded with an aluminum wiring.
- the number of the light-receiving portion(s) with gratings formed on one tip is not limited to one or two as in the above-mentioned constitution, but more than two light-receiving portions with gratings which output signals having different phases from one another may be formed on the same tip.
- the above light receiving elements can be realized not only by using photodiodes of different materials and different structures from those of the light-receiving elements in the above-mentioned, but also by employing photoelectric transfer devices, such as a phototransistor, a CdS cell, and so on, for outputting electric signals in response to the beams incident on the light-receiving portions.
- photoelectric transfer devices such as a phototransistor, a CdS cell, and so on, for outputting electric signals in response to the beams incident on the light-receiving portions.
- Processor circuits such as a voltage converter circuit, an amplifier circuit, and the like, and/or other kinds of circuit to be used together with the light-receiving element described above may be assembled in the tip (wafer) on which said light-receiving element is formed.
- Fig. 14 shows an example of the construction of the displacement sensor provided with one of the light-receiving elements of the above-mentioned.
- This displacement sensor employes: a light-receiving element 61B comprising light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 having gratings; and a light-receiving element 61C comprising light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 having gratings, wherein fundamental construction of both the light-receiving element 61B and the light-receiving element 61C is the same as one of those of the light-receiving portions shown in Figs. 7A to 13C .
- this displacement sensor is provided with light-receiving elements 61B and 61C, which have diffraction gratings formed on the light-receiving surfaces of their light-receiving portions, the assembly and rigging of the light-receiving elements are effected with precision. Accordingly, the elements are not only small but detect displacement with precision.
- the beam emitted from a light-emitting element 1 such as a semiconductor laser, a light-emitting diode, or the like is collimated by a lens 31A, and then, is incident vertically on a diffraction grating 32A.
- the beam is transmitted through and diffracted by the diffraction grating 32A, and is divided into a plurality of beams, including the 0th-order diffracted light R 0 , the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 and the (-) lst-order diffracted light R -1 , which are cast on a diffraction grating 20c formed on a scale fixed to the object to be measured.
- the diffraction grating 32A, the light-receiving portions 61B and 61C, and the diffraction grating 21 on the scale of this displacement sensor have the same pitch of 1.6 ⁇ m.
- the rectilinearly advancing 0th-order diffraction light R 0 is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on the diffraction grating 20a to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 , and so on.
- the divided beams of diffracted light have their phases modulated.
- (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 is again transmitted through and diffracted by diffraction gratings on the light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light, the (-) lst-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, wherein the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 -1 is obtained vertically with respect to the grating surface and the wave front thereof has a phase of + 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the above-mentioned (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 is again transmitted through and diffracted by diffraction gratings on the light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light, the (+) lst-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, wherein the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 +1 is obtained vertically with respect to the grating surface and the wave front thereof has a phase of - 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32B 1 and that of the adjacent light-receiving portion 32B 1 , as well as the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32C 2 and that of the adjacent light-receiving portion 32C 1 are arranged so as to be shifted from each other by P/2, wherein phases of the wave fronts of the beams incident on the light-receiving surfaces of respective light-rece
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 is reflected and diffracted at a point P2 on the diffraction grating 20a on the scale to be divided into the (-) lst-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, each of which has its phase modulated.
- the (-) lst-order diffracted light with the phase shifted by - 2 ⁇ x/P is incident on the light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 , and of said (-) 1st-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light R +1 -1 0 which rectilinearly advances through the diffracted gratings of the light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 has the wave front whose phase is - 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the (-) lst-order diffracted light R -1 from the diffraction grating 32A is reflected and diffracted at a point P3 on the diffraction grating 20a on the scale to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light R -1 0 and other beams of diffracted light, which have their phases modulated.
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light with the phase shifted by + 2 ⁇ x/P is incident on the light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 , and of said (+) lst-order diffraction light, the 0th-order diffracted light R -1 +1 0 which rectilinearly advances through the light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 has the wave front whose phase is + 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the beam R +1 -1 0 and the beam R 0 +1 -1 whose courses are overlapped with each other by the diffraction gratings of the light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 are made to be two beams of interference light, which are incident on the light-receiving surface respectively corresponding to the light-receiving portions 32B 1 and 32B 2 and are converted into electric signals.
- the resulting sine wave signals have a cycle of 0.8 ⁇ m.
- the signal A obtained from the light-receiving portion 32B 2 has the phase which is the reverse of the phase of the signal A from the light-receiving portion 32B 1 .
- the beam R -1 +1 0 and the beam R 0 -1 +1 whose courses are overlapped with each other by the diffraction gratings of the light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 are made to be two beams of interference light, which are incident on the light-receiving surfaces respectively corresponding to the light-receiving portions 32C 1 and 32C 2 and are converted into electric signals.
- the resultant sine wave signals have a cycle of 0.8 ⁇ m.
- the phase of the signal B from the light-receiving portion 32C 1 and that of the signal A from the light-receiving portion 32B 1 are shifted from each other by 1/4 of one cycle, and the phase of the signal B from the light-receiving portion 32C 2 and that of the signal A from the light-receiving portion 32B 2 are also shifted from each other by 1/4 of one cycle.
- the displacement sensor when the scale (diffraction grating 20a) is shifted, the displacement sensor can obtain four sine wave signals, whose phases are shifted at intervals of 1/4 of one cycle, from the light-receiving elements 61B and 61C: that is, sine wave signals A(0), B( ⁇ /2), A( ⁇ ) and B(3 ⁇ /2), which indicate four different displacement amounts.
- sine wave signals A(0), B( ⁇ /2), A( ⁇ ) and B(3 ⁇ /2 which indicate four different displacement amounts.
- relative displacement of the scale (20a) with respect to the light-receiving portions (61B and 61C) and the light-projecting units (1, 31A, 32A) is detected.
- the application of the displacement sensor employing the light-receiving elements shown in Figs. 7A to 13C , without modifications or with preferable modifications, is not limited to the linear encoder shown in Fig. 14 , but the displacement sensor can be applied, for example, to a rotary encoder and an optical speed meter.
- Fig. 15 is a block diagram of a drive system to which one of the above-mentioned encoders is applied as the displacement sensor.
- a drive means 1100 having a driving source such as a motor, an actuator, an engine, or the like, or to the shifting portion of a driven object, an encoder 1101, which is one of the above-mentioned displacement sensors, is attached in order to detect shifting conditions such as the shifting amount, shifting speed, and the like.
- detection output of the encoder 1101 is fed back to a control means 1102, which transmits a drive signal to the drive means 1100 so as to realize the conditions installed by an install means 1103.
- This drive system can be widely applied, for example,: to business apparatus such as a type writer, a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and so on; as well as to image apparatuses such as a camera, a video apparatus, and the like; further, to an information recording/reproducing apparatus, a robot, a machine tool, a manufacturing apparatus, a transport apparatus; and all kinds of other apparatus having drive means.
- a detection apparatus performs detection concerning a target object by synthesizing two beams from the target object by a synthesizing elements and receiving resultant light by light-receiving elements, wherein said synthesizing element is formed, immediately, on the surface of a light-translucent resin in which the light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed.
- an apparatus performs detection concerning the target object by splitting or deflecting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element, illuminating the target object with said splitted or polarized beam(s) and receiving the beam(s) from the target object by light-receiving elements, wherein said optical element is formed, immediately, on the surface of a transmitting resin in which the light-receiving element is air-hermetically sealed.
- a detection apparatus performs detection concerning the target object by splitting or deflecting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element, synthesizing the two beams which are transmitted through the optical element and return from the target object by synthesizing elements and receiving resultant light by light-receiving elements, wherein at least either the optical element or the synthesizing elements are formed, immediately, on the surface of a light-translucent resin in which the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed.
- a detection apparatus detects information of relative displacement of diffraction gratings to be measured by splitting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element to form at least two beams, making said beams incident on the diffraction gratings to be measured to generate at least two beams of diffracted light, synthesizing them by synthesizing elements to obtain interference light and receiving the interference light by a light-receiving element, wherein at least either the optical element or the synthesizing.elements are formed, immediately, on the surface of a translucent resin in which the light-receiving element is airtightly sealed.
- Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 1, where reference numeral 101 denotes a semiconductor laser. Light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C' are mounted on a lead frame bed 104, which has an opening 141 through which the beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 101 passes. Reference numeral 105 denotes a holder of the semiconductor laser unit. The light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed in a transparent resin 106. Reference numerals 109A, 109B and 109C denote diffraction gratings, and reference numeral 110 denotes a scale. The light-receiving elements 102B' and 102C', which are situated respectively behind the light-receiving elements 102B and 102C, are not shown in this figure.
- the lead frame on which the light-receiving elements are mounted, has an opening 141 in the IC bed position 104 through which the light emitted from the semiconductor laser 101 serving as the light-emitting element.
- the light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C' are fixed on the lead frame by die bonding, then, wire bonding is executed between the lead frame and electrode pads of the light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C'.
- the light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C' are air-hermetically sealed in the transparent resin 106 by the transfer mold technique.
- the above processes are the same as those of the conventional method for manufacturing plastic packages of semiconductor elements.
- a glass substrate is coated with a resist, patterns of the diffraction gratings are drawn by exposure, and resist patterns of the diffraction gratings are formed on the glass substrate by developing the resist. Then, the glass substrate is dry-etched to form the diffraction gratings thereon, and the resist is removed. In this way, the mold of the diffraction gratings is prepared.
- the glass substrate mold is coated with resin curable with ultraviolet rays.
- Light-receiving portions of respective light-receiving elements are positioned with respect to the diffraction gratings formed on the glass substrate.
- the surface of the transparent resin of the package is brought into contact with the mold.
- the glass substrate is exposed, from the rear side, to ultraviolet rays to cure the curable resin.
- the package is separated from the glass substrate.
- the resin cured with ultraviolet rays which forms the diffraction gratings 109A, 109B, 109B', 109C and 109C', are transferred onto the surface of the transparent resin 106 of the package.
- Fig. 17 is a top view of the package surface on which respective diffraction gratings are formed.
- the package having diffraction gratings 109A, 109B, 109B', 109C and 109C' formed, as described above, on the surface of the transparent resin 106 is put on the semiconductor laser holder 105 containing the semiconductor laser 101, positioned so that the light-emitting center of the semiconductor laser is fixed at a predetermined position, and bonded fixedly to the semiconductor laser holder 105.
- respective electric terminals are connected with corresponding lead wires to make the head of the optical displacement sensor.
- the light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C' which are semiconductor elements, are air-hermetically sealed in the translucent resin 106, wherein reliability thereof is ensured and the manufacturing cost thereof remains low.
- the diffraction gratings 109A, 109B, 109B', 109C and 109C' are provided on the surface of the package, they are very easily formed. As the diffraction gratings are formed while positioned with respect to the light-receiving portions, they are formed with high precision. Furthermore, the positional relation therebetween are hard to change after formation.
- the beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 101 is incident on the rear surface of the package containing the light-receiving elements 102B, 102B', 102C and 102C', passes through the opening 141 in the lead frame bed portion 104, is transmitted and diffracted by the diffraction grating 109A formed on the package surface and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R 0 , the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R -1 , and so on, which are emitted from the package.
- the beam R 0 advancing rectilinearly through the diffraction grating 109A is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on a diffraction grating 110A formed on the scale 110 to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 , wherein phases of the divided beams are modulated.
- phase of the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 is shifted by + 2 ⁇ x/P and that of the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 is shifted by - 2 ⁇ x/P, where x is the shifting amount of the diffraction grating 110A of the scale 110; and P is the pitch of the diffraction grating 110A.
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 is transmitted through and diffracted by the diffraction grating 109B formed on the package surface to be divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R 0 +1 0 , the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 -1 and other beams, of which the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 +1 -1 is taken out vertically from the diffraction grating surface and the phase of its wave front is + 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 is transmitted through and diffracted by the diffraction grating 109C formed on the package surface to be divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R 0 -1 0 , the (+) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 +1 and other beams, of which the (-) lst-order diffracted light R 0 -1 +1 is taken out vertically from the diffraction grating surface and the phase of its wave front is - 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light R +1 diffracted by the diffraction grating 109A formed on the surface of the transparent resin 106 is reflected and diffracted at a point P2 on the diffraction grating 110A on the scale 110 to be divided into the (-) lst-order diffracted light R +1 -1 , the 0th-order diffracted light R +1 0 and other beams, while their phases are modulated.
- the (+) lst-order diffracted light R -1 +1 has its phase shifted by + 2 ⁇ x/P and is incident on the diffraction grating 9B, while the phase of the wave front of the rectilinearly advancing 0th-order diffracted light R -1 +1 0 is + 2 ⁇ x/P.
- the beams R +1 -1 0 and R 0 +1 -1 have their courses overlapped with each other at the diffraction grating 109B to be interference light, which is incident on the light-receiving element 102B.
- the beams R -1 +1 0 and R 0 -1 +1 have their courses overlapped with each other at the diffraction grating 109C to be interfere light, which is incident on the light-receiving element 102C.
- the diffraction gratings 109A' and 109B' are arranged so that the phases of the diffraction gratings 109A' and 109A, as well as those of the diffraction gratings 109B' and 109B, are shifted from each other by P/2, the phases of the wave fronts from the diffraction gratings 109A' and 109A, as well as those of the wave fronts from the diffraction gratings 109B' and 109B, are shifted from each other by ⁇ .
- the light-receiving elements 102B' and 102C' receive respective occulting signal with the timing shifted from that of the above-mentioned respective corresponding occulting signals by 1/2 of one cycle.
- Signals from the light-receiving elements are converted into a two-phase signal which is obtained from the differential signal of the outputs from the light-receiving elements 102B and 102B' and the differential signal of the outputs from the light-receiving elements 102C and 102C'.
- the displacement amount and the displacement direction of the scale 110 can be obtained by the well-known methods.
- the metal mold for transfer molding which is used to seal the light-receiving elements 102 in the translucent resin 106, has a convex part to form a concave portion 161 in the package.
- the concave portion has dimensions in which a convex lens 108 and the package do not interfere with each other as described later.
- the package containing the light-receiving elements 102 has the same construction as that of Embodiment 1 except for the above-mentioned respect.
- a glass substrate 191 is coated with a resist, patterns of the diffraction gratings are drawn by exposure, and the resist is developed. Then, the glass substrate 191 is dry-etched to carve the diffraction gratings on the glass substrate 191, and the resist is removed. Next, the convex lens 108 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the diffraction grating 109A for the emitted beam is formed, wherein the convex lens 108 is transferred onto the glass substrate 191 by using the metal mold and the resin curable with ultraviolet rays as the diffraction gratings of Embodiment 1 are formed.
- the diffraction gratings 109B, 109B', 109C and 109C' are positioned with respect to the light-receiving portions of the corresponding light-receiving elements, and the glass substrate 91 and the above-mentioned.transparent resin package are bonded to each other to form the diffraction gratings above the light-translucent resin.
- the concave portion 161 is provided in the package so that the convex lens 108 formed on the glass substrate is not interfered with the package.
- the package having the diffraction gratings and the convex lens 108 formed over the light-translucent resin 106 as described above is positioned on the semiconductor laser holder 105 containing the semiconductor laser 101 so that the light-emitting center of the semiconductor laser is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the convex lens 108. Then, the package is bonded fixedly to the semiconductor laser holder 105.
- electric terminal 1 are connected with corresponding lead wires to make the head of the optical displacement sensor. Operations thereof are the same as those described above.
- the divergent beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 101 is collimated or focused to realize the optical displacement sensor which has increased intensity of signal light and whose signal is hard to change against disturbance caused by attachment of the sensor or positioning thereof in operation.
- Fig. 19 is schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 2, where the same members as those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- Fig. 20 is a top view of the lead frame unit.
- an LED serving as the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are contained in the same light-translucent resin package.
- the divergent beams from the LED the light-emitting element are incident on the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements, SN ratio is reduced. Therefore, the bed portion of the lead frame 104 on which the LED 111 is mounted is made higher by press machine than the bed portion on which the light-receiving elements are mounted.
- the difference in height between the light-emitting portion of the LED 111 and the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements is large enough to reduce the amount of light from the LED 111 which is unnecessarily incident on the light-receiving portions.
- the apparatus is very small, is capable of preventing stray light within the package and ensuring high SN ratio, and is manufactured at very low cost.
- Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 3
- Fig. 22 is a top view of the lead frame unit thereof.
- the same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are also, as in Embodiment 2, contained in the same light-translucent resin package, wherein the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portions are mounted at a sufficient height in order to improve SN ratio.
- the base 102 of the light-receiving elements is larger and common to the four light-receiving elements.
- the base is mounted on the lead frame, then the LED 111 is mounted on a part of the surface other than the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements and the lead electrode portions.
- respective electrode portions are connected with corresponding electric terminals of the lead frame by wire bonding. Then they are air-hermetically sealed in the transparent resin 106 to make the package.
- the diffraction gratings 109 are formed on the light-translucent resin surface in the same manner as that of Embodiment 1. Operations thereof is also the same as those described above.
- Fig. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 4, and Fig. 24 is a top view of the same.
- the same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the optical displacement sensor is constructed as described above.
- further grooves 161 are formed between the light-emitting center and the light-receiving portions in the light-translucent resin 106 in order to prevent scattered light from the LED 111 serving as the light-emitting element from being incident on the light-receiving portions inside the package, thereby intercepting the internal scattered light before it reaches the light-receiving portions.
- the grooves 62 are formed by the same method employed in connection with the example shown by Fig. 18 except that the metal mold used for forming the package has portions corresponding to the shape of the grooves.
- Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing Embodiment 5
- Fig. 26 is a top view of the lead frame unit of the same.
- the same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals.
- This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiments except that the light-receiving elements 102 have their surfaces between the LED 111 and the light-receiving portions coated with light-absorbing coating material 112 so that prevent multiple reflection at the package surface and the shielding aluminum on the surfaces of the light receiving elements 102, thereby preventing scattered light from being incident on the light-receiving portions.
- semiconductor lasers As the light-emitting elements used in the respective embodiments described above, semiconductor lasers, light-emitting diodes, and the like may be employed.
- photodiodes As the light-receiving elements, photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes, pin photodiodes, CCDs, as well as light-receiving ICs having the above light-receiving elements and circuits for amplifying or processing output photocurrents, may be employed.
- Methods for manufacturing the gratings serving as optical components include: the replica method in which a mold is formed, resin curable with ultraviolet rays is cast into the mold, a transfer member is put thereon, and resin is exposed to ultraviolet rays to be cured and transferred onto the transfer member; the etching method in which a glass substrate is coated with a resist, patterns are drawn by exposure through a mask or a reticle, the resist is developed and etching is carried out; and so on. Otherwise, the resist may be directly drawn with an EB (electron beam) previous to development and etching. Further, after exposure of the resist described above, the gratings may be obtained by hard-bake. The gratings are formed immediately on the surface of the translucent resin 106.
- the replica method in which a mold is formed, resin curable with ultraviolet rays is cast into the mold, a transfer member is put thereon, and resin is exposed to ultraviolet rays to be cured and transferred onto the transfer member
- the etching method in which a glass
- SN ratio can be further improved by combining the above-mentioned respective embodiments.
- the above-mentioned embodiments can improve airtightness of the light-emitting elements or the light-receiving elements, thereby realizing the optical detection apparatus which can be easily manufactured with high precision and can maintain said high precision.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optical Transform (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a displacement information detection apparatus used in the field of machine tools, measuring apparatus, and the like in order to detect linear shifting and rotary shifting status of an object; a detection device suitable therefor and a drive control apparatus using said displacement information detection apparatus.
- Recently, small-size, light-weight and high-performance linear encoders, rotary encoders, and so on which detect shifting information of a moving object are desired. Especially, when assembled in steppers, machine tools, various kinds of robots for manufacture, and so on, small-size, light-weight and highly precise encoders are desired.
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the main portions of a typical encoder according to a prior art arrangement. The encoder shown in the figure comprises two slit rows; a slit row provided in amain scale 64 and slit rows formed in asecondary scale 65. - In the same figure, a beam outgoing from a light-emitting
element 61 is bent by amirror 62, collimated by alens 63 and incident on themain scale 64. Themain scale 64 consists of a transparent material such as glass and the like or a thin metal plate, on which the slit row consisting of transmitting slit-shaped apertures of the same width and shielded portions is formed by means of etching, or the like. - The beams transmitted through the
main scale 64 are incident on thesecondary scale 65 in which the apertures have the same intervals as those of the apertures in themain scale 64. The beams transmitted through the apertures of thesecondary scale 65 are received by alight receiving means 66. - The
main scale 64 is fixed to the object to be measured (not shown), but is capable of relative motion, with respect to adetection head unit 60 indicated by dashed lines inFig. 1 , in the direction indicated by the arrow A. - Light or dark signals, due to the shutter effect by the apertures of the
main scale 64 and those of thesecondary scale 65, are generated on the surface of the light-receiving means 66 accompanying a motion of themain scale 64. The light receiving means 66 detects the light or dark signals, thereby measuring shifting states of themain scale 64, that is, shifting states of the object to be measured. - Though the conventional encoder shown in
Fig. 1 is already small and is manufactured at low cost, the number of components thereof is large, which has a limitation to minituarization of the whole apparatus. Further, it is difficult to adjust the component position in assembling the encoder, which also has a limitation to the reduction of cost. - A further prior art arrangement is known from
GB-A-2 099 993 - Further prior art is known from the Doktor's Thesis "Dreigittergeber" by J. Wilhelm, 1978, Technical University of Hannover, which discloses displacement detection apparatus using three gratings.
- Document
JP-A-3-279812 - Document
US 4 840 488 discloses a two grating translucent type encoder. - Moreover, from document
DE-A-40 06 789 there is known an apparatus for detecting information relating to displacement of an object on which a grating scale is affixed, comprising a beam-emitting system for irradiating the grating scale with a beam and having a light source and a light-detecting element. - However, such a prior art arrangement is associated with a problem such that it is also subjected to a limitation of miniaturization of the whole arrangement while it is difficult to adjust the component position in assembling the apparatus and to prevent stray light from returning from the surfaces of the grating to the light-detecting element.
- Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide a displacement detection apparatus which can easily be miniaturized while preventing undesired (stray) light from returning from the surfaces of the grating to the light-detecting element.
- This object is achieved by an apparatus for detecting information relating to displacement of an object on which a grating scale is affixed as defined in
claim 1. - Advantageous further developments of the invention are as set out in the dependent claims.
- Other object of the present invention will be apparently understood from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention.
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the main portions of a conventional linear encoder. -
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the main portions of an encoder according to a first example. -
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the main portions of the light-receiving means shown inFig.2 . -
Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a second example. -
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a third example. -
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the main portions of a light-receiving device in an encoder according to a fourth example. -
Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device. -
Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device. -
Figs. 9A and 9B are schematic view showing a light-receiving device. -
Figs. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device. -
Figs. 11A and 11B are schematic views showing a light-receiving device. -
Figs. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing a light receiving device. -
Figs. 13A to 13C are schematic views showing a light-receiving device. -
Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of the construction of the information relating to displacement detection apparatus. -
Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a drive system provided with the information relating to displacement detection apparatus. -
Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 1. -
Fig. 17 is a schematic topview showing Embodiment 1. -
Fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an unclaimed example. -
Fig. 19 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 2. -
Fig. 20 is a schematic top view showing a lead frame unit ofEmbodiment 2. -
Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 3. -
Fig. 22 is a schematic top view of a lead frame unit ofEmbodiment 3. -
Fig. 23 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 4. -
Fig 24 is a schematic topview showing Embodiment 4. -
Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 5. -
Fig. 26 is a schematic top view showing a lead frame unit ofEmbodiment 5. - In examples described below, the encoder casts a beam from a light-emitting element on a scale on which slit-shaped apertures are periodically formed. The beams transmitted through the apertures of said scale are received by a light-receiving means which has apertures at least one of the light receiving surface, wherein the intervals of the apertures are the same as those of the apertures of said scale. Information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving means is detected on the basis of the output signal from the light-receiving means.
- More specifically, said light-receiving means has a plurality of separate light-receiving elements on a common base member, and apertures are integrally formed at least on a part of the light-receiving surfaces of the plurality of the light-receiving elements, wherein the intervals of the apertures are the same as those of the apertures of the above-mentioned scale and phases of the apertures of respective light-receiving elements shift from each other in the direction in which the scale moves. Or, said light-receiving means has a plurality of separate light-receiving elements on a common base member, and some of the light-receiving elements have apertures integrally formed on the light-receiving surfaces at the same intervals as those of the apertures of said scale, wherein signals from the light-receiving elements having apertures are used to detect information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving means while signals from the light-receiving elements without apertures are used as reference signals.
- Further, in one of the encoders of the following examples, a coherent beam is incident on a first diffraction grating and the diffracted light from the first diffraction grating is incident on a second diffraction grating formed on the scale. Two beams of diffracted light of predetermined orders from the second diffraction grating are conducted to form an interference fringe on the light-receiving surfaces of light-receiving elements opposed to the scale, wherein slit-shaped apertures are integrally formed on the light-receiving surfaces of the light-receiving elements at the same intervals as those of the interference fringe and information of relative shifting between the scale and the light-receiving elements is detected on the basis of the output signals from the light-receiving elements.
-
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the main portions of an encoder according to a first example ,andFig. 3 is a schematic view of a light-receiving means in the apparatus shown inFig.2 . - In the figure,
reference numeral 1 denotes a light-emitting element such as an LED, and the like, andreference numeral 2 denotes a mirror, which reflects and deflects a beam emitted from the light-emittingelement 1. A lens (collimator lens) 3 collimates the beam deflected by themirror 2 and cast it on ascale 4. Thescale 4 is a made of a transparent base material or a thin metal plate having aslit row 4a which serves as a grating, where transparent slit-shaped apertures and shielded portions are periodically formed by means of etching, or the like. Thescale 4 is fixed to an object to be measured (not shown). -
Reference numeral 5 denotes a light-receiving means. As shown inFig. 3 , the light-receivingmeans 5 has a light-receivingelement 12 on abase member 11 and anelectrode 13 attached to the light-receivingelement 12. A slit row 5a serving as a grating unit is formed on the surface of the light-receivingelement 12. The slit row 5a may be formed by, besides etching, the photo-lithography method using a semiconductor exposure apparatus, for example. - In this example, the beam emitted from the light-emitting
element 1 is bent by themirror 2, collimated by thelens 3 and cast on thescale 4. Of the beam cast on thescale 4, beams which pass through the apertures of theslit row 4a and those of the slit row 5a of the light-receiving means 5 are received by the light-receivingelement 12. When thescale 4 moves together with the object to be measured (not shown)., the passing beams are modulated due to the shutter effect of the apertures of theslit row 4a of thescale 4 and those of the slit row 5a of the light-receivingmeans 5. The modulated beams are received by the light-receivingelement 12, thereby obtaining shifting information such as a shifting amount of thescale 4, (that is, of the measured object), and the like on the basis of the signals from the light-receivingelement 12 by the well-known methods. - In this example, by forming the slit row 5a on the surface of the light-receiving
element 12, thesecondary scale 65 and the light-receiving means 66, which are two separate components in the conventional example shown inFig. 1 , are assembled as one component, thereby miniaturizing the whole body of the encoder. - Further, while some mechanically holding mechanism is required when the slit rows and the light-receiving elements are assembled in the conventional encoder, they are constructed as one component in this embodiment and positioning between the slit row and the light-receiving element is not necessary, thereby facilitating the assembly and reducing cost.
-
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a light-receiving means 5 in the encoder according to a second example. This example has a construction which is similar to that of the first example shown inFig. 2 except that the light-receiving surface of a light-receivingelement 22 is divided into four areas 22a to 22d and that slit row gratings 24a to 24d having different phases from one another are provided respectively on said areas. - In the figure,
reference numeral 21 denotes a base plate, and light-receivingelements Electrodes Slit rows slit row 4a of thescale 4. - In this example,
electrodes 23a to 23d are formed respectively on separate light-receiving elements 22a to 22d on thebase plate 21. Slit rows 24a to 24d are formed on the surfaces of the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d. Note that the slit rows 24a to 24d may be formed by photo-lithography. These slit rows 24a to 24d are arranged so that their phases shift from one another in the direction in which thescale 4 moves. - In this example, a plurality of signals having different phases from one another are obtained from the light-receiving elements 22a to 22d, and shifting information such as the shifting amount, the shifting direction, and the like of the measured object is obtained on the basis of said signals by means of well-known methods. Further, in this example, one light-receiving element is divided into a plurality of light-receiving elements which output signals having different phases from one another. Accordingly, even when the number of signals further increases, only one mechanism is required to mechanically hold the light-receiving elements, thereby easily minimizing size of the unit, miniaturizing the apparatus and reducing cost.
-
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a light-receiving means 5 in the encoder according to a third example. This example has a construction which is similar to that of the above-mentioned second example except that some of the plurally divided light-receiving elements are utilized to obtain reference signals. - In the figure,
reference numeral 31 denotes a base member, and light-receivingelements Electrodes elements 32a to 32d take out electric signals.Slit rows 34a and 34b provided on the surfaces of the light-receiving elements consist of apertures having the same intervals at those of theslit row 4a of thescale 4. - The light-receiving means of this embodiment. is provided with separate light-receiving
elements 32a to 32d on thebase plate 31 and theelectrodes 33a to 33d attached to respective light-receiving elements.Slit rows 34a and 34b are formed on the light-receivingelements slit rows 34a and 34b may be formed on the light-receiving elements by photo-lithography. Theseslit rows 34a and 34b are arranged so that their phases shift from each other in the direction in which thescale 4 moves, and signals having different phases are output from the light-receivingelements 34a and 34b. Light-receivingelements - In this example, the light-receiving means 5 shown in
Fig. 5 serves as the light-receiving means shown inFig. 2 . The beam emitted from the light-emittingelement 1 and bent by themirror 2 is collimated by thelens 3, transmitted through the apertures of theslit row 4a formed on thescale 4 and received by the light-receivingmeans 5. During said process, the light-receivingelements element 1, change in transmissibility caused by the shift of thescale 4, and the like. Accordingly, stable information of movement without offset is obtained, for example, by correcting the electric signals from the light-receivingelements - Furthermore, the light-receiving means of this example can further improve resolving power by electrically dividing the direct signal. Thus, this example realizes not only a small-size, unexpensive apparatus but an encoder capable of measuring information of movement with precision regardless of change in the amount of light.
-
Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the main portions of a fourth example applied to an encoder of interference type. In the figure, a light-emittingelement 41 emits a coherent beam.Reference numeral 42 denotes a reflecting element, and alens 43 collimates the beam from the light-emittingelement 41. A diffraction grating (first diffraction grating) 44 diffracts the beam transmitted through thelens 43. On the surface of ascale 20, a diffraction grating (second diffraction grating) 20a is-formed, which is fixed to the object to be measured (not shown). The diffraction grating 20a of thescale 20 and thediffraction grating 44 are arranged to be opposite to each other. Light-receivingmeans respective slit rows - The divergent beam emitted from the light-emitting
element 41 provided horizontally in an container (not shown) has its course bent by the reflectingelement 42, is transmitted through and diffracted by thediffraction grating 44 formed on the rear side of a glass plate of a window, and is divided and emitted as the 0th-order diffracted light R0, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R-1, and so on. - The beam R0 rectilinearly advancing through the
diffraction grating 44 is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on the diffraction grating 20a formed on thescale 20 to be divided the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1, and so on. The (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1 and the (-) lst-order diffracted light R-1, which are diffracted by thediffraction grating 44, are reflected and diffracted respectively at points P2 and P3 on the diffraction grating, and the (-) 1st-order diffracted light R+1 -1 obtained from the beam R+1 and the (+) lst-order diffracted light R-1 +1 obtained from the beam R-1 are respectively interfered with the beam R0 +1 on the light-receiving means 45 and the beam R0 -1 on the light-receivingmeans 46. When the pitch of theslit rows - P: the pitch of the interference fringe, and
- X: the shifting amount.
- Generally, the number of components of the encoder of interference type is large, and the positional precision of each component is very strict, where positioning must be done in the order of micrometers. Accordingly, quantity production is difficult and the cost is hard to reduce.
- On the other hand, the encoder can be miniaturized because a light-receiving element having a diameter larger than that of the beam spares the lens and the number of the components is reduced by forming the slit row integrally with the light-receiving element.
- The encoder can realize quantity production because the problem of precise positioning of the light-receiving elements and the slit rows, which makes it difficult to perform positioning in prior art, can be avoided.
- The encoder can facilitate design of the optical system because signals of desired phases can be obtained by forming the
slit rows - The encoder can prevent the beams returning from the surfaces of the diffraction gratings from being incident on the light-receiving elements because the light path for advancing light and the light path for returning light are separated from each other and division of the beams and synthesis thereof are performed at different positions of the diffraction grating.
- The encoder can be easily miniaturized and thinned because the light path for advancing light and the light path for returning light are separated from each other so that a short-focus micro-lens can be formed and that the distance between the light-emitting element and the lens can be reduced.
- The encoder can be easily miniaturized because the beam from the light-emitting element has its course bent by the reflecting element so as to obtain a sufficient distance between the lens and the light-emitting element, as long as a desired focal distance, even if the glass plate to which the lens is fixed is located close to the light-emitting element.
- The encoder can have not only small size but also high precision and high resolving power because the pitch of the diffraction grating on the scale is fine enough to spatially separate the beams of diffracted light from each other in order to facilitate miniaturization.
- In the following description, the light-receiving element generates electric signals corresponding to the beams incident on the light-receiving portion(s), and is provided with the grating pattern(s) integrally formed on said light-receiving portion(s) by the lithography technique.
- Also, in the following description, the displacement detection apparatus detects relative displacement of the object to be measured with respect to the light-receiving element on the basis of change in the phase of the stripes (fringe) formed by the beam from the measured object. The light-receiving element is provided with the light-receiving portion(s) having a grating pattern wherein output signals are applied to the light-receiving portion(s) in response to the beams which form said stripes (fringe) on the light-receiving portion(s) and the grating pattern is integrally formed on the light-receiving element.
- Preferred realizations may include grating patterns: which are made of resist material; which are wiring patterns; which are formed on a transparent layer covering a semiconductor layer; which are formed by at least one of the P layer and the N layer of a semiconductor layer; and the like. Each of the above grating patterns can be formed by lithography technique, which will be disclosed in the following embodiments.
-
Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the light-receiving element.Fig. 7B shows cross-sections a-a' and b-b' indicated in the top viewFig. 7A in one view. InFig. 7B , the portion indicated byreference numeral 50 has the same construction as a typical silicon photodiode, and anN layer 52 and a P layer are subsequently laminated on acathode electrode 51 at the bottom of theportion 50 to form a PN junction. Further, as SiO2 film 54 for protection is formed on theP layer 53. - Here, a
film 55 made of transmitting material such as SiO2, or the like is further formed on the SiO2 film 54 by, for example, the film forming techniques such as spin-coat, and so on. The transmitting (material)film 55 is coated with a photo-resist. Subsequently, the film is exposed, via mask on which the grating patterns are drawn, to light; otherwise, the grating patterns are drawn with an electric beam or a laser beam, and then exposure is performed. Only unnecessary portions of the resist are removed by etching with hydrogen fluoride, and the like so that the remaining resist forms the gratings 56 (diffraction gratings) on the transmittingfilm 55. On the other hand, part of the SiO2 film 54 covering the P layer is removed by photo-etching in order to formanode electrodes 57 of aluminum, or the like. As shown in the top view, two anode electrodes corresponding to two channels are formed, thereby providing the light-receiving portions so that a pair of signals having different phases from each other can be output from the elements by forming a pair of gratings, whose phases shift from each other, on the corresponding light-receiving portions. - Here, the grating patterns are integrally formed on the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving element to realize a simple, small-size light-receiving element.
- By employing the above-mentioned semiconductor device manufacturing processes, the light-receiving portions and the grating patterns can be easily constructed integrally, thereby restricting the positional relation between the
gratings 56 and the light-receiving portions (or light-receiving element) with very high precision. - Furthermore, by using the above-mentioned light-receiving element, the assembly processes of a displacement sensor can be facilitated, and the displacement sensor can be miniaturized.
- In order to ensure the function of the
gratings 56 as the diffraction gratings, the distance between thegratings 56 and theP layer 53, that is, the light-receiving surfaces must be sufficiently greater than the wavelength (operating wavelength) of light incident on the light-receiving element. Incidentally, the cross-sectional shape of thegratings 56 is not limited to rectangular shapes, but may be formed in any optimal shape (for example, blaze, and so on) according to the optical designing. - Though the light-receiving element in the above constitution has the transmitting
film 55 on which thegratings 56 are formed, the gratings may be formed immediately, without forming the transmittingfilm 55, over the SiO2 film 54. - The
gratings 56 of the above-mentioned light-receiving element are made of the photo-resist. -
Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a further light-receiving element. As shown in these figures, (diffraction) gratings are formed as aluminum wiring patterns which also function asanode electrodes 57. As shown inFig. 8B , the aluminum wirings may be connected with theanode electrodes 53, otherwise, they may be separated from theanode electrodes 53, but connected externally with the cathod electrode, the circuit ground, or the like. -
Figs. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing another light-receiving element, which is provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion. InFigs. 9A and 9B , aportion 50 is a typical silicon photodiode which is the same as those of the embodiments shown inFigs. 7A to 8B . This light-receiving element dispenses with the transmittingfilm 55 of the element shown inFigs. 8A and 8B , and has a (diffraction) grating which is formed as an aluminum wiring pattern functioning as ananode electrode 57 immediately formed over the SiO2 film 54. -
Figs. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing still another light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion. In this light-receiving element, the shape of the P layer is different from that of the P layer of the embodiment shown inFigs. 9A and 9B , wherein the P layer is not formed on the portions shielded with the aluminum wiring constituting the grating, that is, the P layer is formed in the shape of a grating so as to reduce capacitance of the PN junction and increase speed of response of the element. -
Figs. 11A and 11B are schematic views showing a still further light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion. InFigs. 11A and 11B , aportion 50 is a typical silicon photodiode. In this light-receiving element, an SiO2 film serving as the transmittingfilm 55 is formed, by the spin-coat method, on the SiO2 film 54 on theportion 50 which functions as a typical silicon photodiode, and the phase (diffraction) grating is formed by removing part of the transmittingfilm 55 by photo-etching. -
Figs. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing another light-receiving element, which is also provided with only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion. InFigs. 12A and 12B , the same members as those inFigs. 1 and2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this light-receiving element, theP layer 53 itself, which is the light-receiving portion of theportion 50 serving as a typical silicon photodiode, is formed in the shape of a grating. -
Figs. 13A, 13B and 13C are schematic views showing light-receiving element, which is also provided only one pair of the grating and the light-receiving portion. In order to be easily understood, an anode electrode 57 (including an aluminum wiring portion) is shown as transparent, only in theseFigs. 13A to 13C. Fig. 13B and Fig. 13C respectively show the cross-section a-a' and the cross-section b-b' indicated in the top viewFig. 13A . In this light-receiving element, of the P layer serving as the light-receiving surface of the element, the part on which the grating is not formed is shielded with an aluminum wiring. - The number of the light-receiving portion(s) with gratings formed on one tip is not limited to one or two as in the above-mentioned constitution, but more than two light-receiving portions with gratings which output signals having different phases from one another may be formed on the same tip.
- Also, it is possible to form a small number of light-receiving portions with gratings on a tip, and to slice the wafer to obtain a plurality of tips as one light-receiving element.
- The above light receiving elements can be realized not only by using photodiodes of different materials and different structures from those of the light-receiving elements in the above-mentioned, but also by employing photoelectric transfer devices, such as a phototransistor, a CdS cell, and so on, for outputting electric signals in response to the beams incident on the light-receiving portions.
- Processor circuits such as a voltage converter circuit, an amplifier circuit, and the like, and/or other kinds of circuit to be used together with the light-receiving element described above may be assembled in the tip (wafer) on which said light-receiving element is formed.
-
Fig. 14 shows an example of the construction of the displacement sensor provided with one of the light-receiving elements of the above-mentioned. - This displacement sensor employes: a light-receiving
element 61B comprising light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 having gratings; and a light-receivingelement 61C comprising light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 having gratings, wherein fundamental construction of both the light-receivingelement 61B and the light-receivingelement 61C is the same as one of those of the light-receiving portions shown inFigs. 7A to 13C . As this displacement sensor is provided with light-receivingelements - In
Fig. 14 , the beam emitted from a light-emittingelement 1 such as a semiconductor laser, a light-emitting diode, or the like is collimated by alens 31A, and then, is incident vertically on adiffraction grating 32A. The beam is transmitted through and diffracted by thediffraction grating 32A, and is divided into a plurality of beams, including the 0th-order diffracted light R0, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1 and the (-) lst-order diffracted light R-1, which are cast on a diffraction grating 20c formed on a scale fixed to the object to be measured. - Incidentally, the
diffraction grating 32A, the light-receivingportions diffraction grating 21 on the scale of this displacement sensor have the same pitch of 1.6 µm. - Of the diffracted light which is emitted from the
diffraction grating 32A and cast on the diffraction grating 20a, the rectilinearly advancing 0th-order diffraction light R0 is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on the diffraction grating 20a to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1, and so on. At this time, the divided beams of diffracted light have their phases modulated. That is, as the scale (diffraction grating 21) moves, the phase of the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 is shifted by +2πx/P, while the phase of the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 is shifted by -2πx/P, wherein: x is the shifting amount of thediffraction grating 21; and P is the pitch of thediffraction grating 21. - The above-mentioned (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 is again transmitted through and diffracted by diffraction gratings on the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light, the (-) lst-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, wherein the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 -1 is obtained vertically with respect to the grating surface and the wave front thereof has a phase of + 2πx/P. On the other hand, the above-mentioned (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 is again transmitted through and diffracted by diffraction gratings on the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light, the (+) lst-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, wherein the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 +1 is obtained vertically with respect to the grating surface and the wave front thereof has a phase of - 2πx/P.
- In this displacement sensor, the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32C1 and the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32B1 are arranged so that their phases are shifted from each other by P/4, wherein the phase of the wave front of the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 +1 is further shifted by -2π(P/4)/P (= -π/2)to be - 2πx/P - π/2.Further, the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32B1 and that of the adjacent light-receiving portion 32B1, as well as the diffraction grating on the light-receiving portion 32C2 and that of the adjacent light-receiving portion 32C1, are arranged so as to be shifted from each other by P/2, wherein phases of the wave fronts of the beams incident on the light-receiving surfaces of respective light-receiving portions are determined as:
- 32B1: - 2πx/P
- 32B2: - 2πx/P - π
- 32C1: - 2πx/P - π/2
- 32C2: - 2πx/P - 3π/2
- On the other hand, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1 is reflected and diffracted at a point P2 on the diffraction grating 20a on the scale to be divided into the (-) lst-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light and other beams of diffracted light, each of which has its phase modulated. More, specifically, the (-) lst-order diffracted light with the phase shifted by - 2πx/P is incident on the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2, and of said (-) 1st-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light R+1 -1 0 which rectilinearly advances through the diffracted gratings of the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 has the wave front whose phase is - 2πx/P. The (-) lst-order diffracted light R-1 from the
diffraction grating 32A is reflected and diffracted at a point P3 on the diffraction grating 20a on the scale to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light, the 0th-order diffracted light R-1 0 and other beams of diffracted light, which have their phases modulated. More specifically, the (+) lst-order diffracted light with the phase shifted by + 2πx/P is incident on the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2, and of said (+) lst-order diffraction light, the 0th-order diffracted light R-1 +1 0 which rectilinearly advances through the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 has the wave front whose phase is + 2πx/P. - The beam R+1 -1 0 and the beam R0 +1 -1 whose courses are overlapped with each other by the diffraction gratings of the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 are made to be two beams of interference light, which are incident on the light-receiving surface respectively corresponding to the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 and are converted into electric signals. The interference phases of the interference beams incident on respective light-receiving surfaces of the light-receiving portions 32B1 and 32B2 are:
- The beam R-1 +1 0 and the beam R0 -1 +1 whose courses are overlapped with each other by the diffraction gratings of the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 are made to be two beams of interference light, which are incident on the light-receiving surfaces respectively corresponding to the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 and are converted into electric signals. The interference phases of the interference beams incident on respective light-receiving surfaces of the light-receiving portions 32C1 and 32C2 are:
- With the above-mentioned construction, when the scale (diffraction grating 20a) is shifted, the displacement sensor can obtain four sine wave signals, whose phases are shifted at intervals of 1/4 of one cycle, from the light-receiving
elements - Any of the elements shown in
Figs. 7 to 13 can be applied, without modifications or with preferable modifications, as the light-receiving element, to the above-mentioned displacement sensor. - The application of the displacement sensor employing the light-receiving elements shown in
Figs. 7A to 13C , without modifications or with preferable modifications, is not limited to the linear encoder shown inFig. 14 , but the displacement sensor can be applied, for example, to a rotary encoder and an optical speed meter. -
Fig. 15 is a block diagram of a drive system to which one of the above-mentioned encoders is applied as the displacement sensor. To the drive output unit of a drive means 1100 having a driving source such as a motor, an actuator, an engine, or the like, or to the shifting portion of a driven object, anencoder 1101, which is one of the above-mentioned displacement sensors, is attached in order to detect shifting conditions such as the shifting amount, shifting speed, and the like. When the encoder of the embodiment shown inFig. 15 is employed, detection output of theencoder 1101 is fed back to a control means 1102, which transmits a drive signal to the drive means 1100 so as to realize the conditions installed by an installmeans 1103. By forming such a feed back system, drive conditions installed by the install means 1103 can be obtained. This drive system can be widely applied, for example,: to business apparatus such as a type writer, a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and so on; as well as to image apparatuses such as a camera, a video apparatus, and the like; further, to an information recording/reproducing apparatus, a robot, a machine tool, a manufacturing apparatus, a transport apparatus; and all kinds of other apparatus having drive means. - As described above, according to the above-mentioned constitutions, simple and small-size light-receiving elements in which grating pattern and the light-receiving portion of the light-receiving element are integrated. Further, small-size, highly precise displacement sensors can be easily realized.
- In the following embodiments, a detection apparatus performs detection concerning a target object by synthesizing two beams from the target object by a synthesizing elements and receiving resultant light by light-receiving elements, wherein said synthesizing element is formed, immediately, on the surface of a light-translucent resin in which the light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed.
- In one of the following embodiments, an apparatus performs detection concerning the target object by splitting or deflecting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element, illuminating the target object with said splitted or polarized beam(s) and receiving the beam(s) from the target object by light-receiving elements, wherein said optical element is formed, immediately, on the surface of a transmitting resin in which the light-receiving element is air-hermetically sealed.
- In one of the following embodiments,
a detection apparatus performs detection concerning the target object by splitting or deflecting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element, synthesizing the two beams which are transmitted through the optical element and return from the target object by synthesizing elements and receiving resultant light by light-receiving elements, wherein at least either the optical element or the synthesizing elements are formed, immediately, on the surface of a light-translucent resin in which the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed. - Furthermore, in one of the following embodiments a detection apparatus detects information of relative displacement of diffraction gratings to be measured by splitting a beam from a light-emitting element by an optical element to form at least two beams, making said beams incident on the diffraction gratings to be measured to generate at least two beams of diffracted light, synthesizing them by synthesizing elements to obtain interference light and receiving the interference light by a light-receiving element, wherein at least either the optical element or the synthesizing.elements are formed, immediately, on the surface of a translucent resin in which the light-receiving element is airtightly sealed.
-
Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 1, wherereference numeral 101 denotes a semiconductor laser. Light-receivingelements lead frame bed 104, which has anopening 141 through which the beam emitted from thesemiconductor laser 101 passes.Reference numeral 105 denotes a holder of the semiconductor laser unit. The light-receiving elements are airtightly sealed in atransparent resin 106.Reference numerals reference numeral 110 denotes a scale. The light-receivingelements 102B' and 102C', which are situated respectively behind the light-receivingelements - In this embodiment, the lead frame, on which the light-receiving elements are mounted, has an
opening 141 in theIC bed position 104 through which the light emitted from thesemiconductor laser 101 serving as the light-emitting element. First, the light-receivingelements elements elements transparent resin 106 by the transfer mold technique. The above processes are the same as those of the conventional method for manufacturing plastic packages of semiconductor elements. - Next, a glass substrate is coated with a resist, patterns of the diffraction gratings are drawn by exposure, and resist patterns of the diffraction gratings are formed on the glass substrate by developing the resist. Then, the glass substrate is dry-etched to form the diffraction gratings thereon, and the resist is removed. In this way, the mold of the diffraction gratings is prepared.
- Next, the glass substrate mold is coated with resin curable with ultraviolet rays. Light-receiving portions of respective light-receiving elements are positioned with respect to the diffraction gratings formed on the glass substrate. The surface of the transparent resin of the package is brought into contact with the mold. The glass substrate is exposed, from the rear side, to ultraviolet rays to cure the curable resin. After that, the package is separated from the glass substrate. In this way, the resin cured with ultraviolet rays, which forms the
diffraction gratings transparent resin 106 of the package.Fig. 17 is a top view of the package surface on which respective diffraction gratings are formed. - The package having
diffraction gratings transparent resin 106 is put on thesemiconductor laser holder 105 containing thesemiconductor laser 101, positioned so that the light-emitting center of the semiconductor laser is fixed at a predetermined position, and bonded fixedly to thesemiconductor laser holder 105. - After that, respective electric terminals are connected with corresponding lead wires to make the head of the optical displacement sensor.
- In the optical displacement sensor head prepared by the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the light-receiving
elements translucent resin 106, wherein reliability thereof is ensured and the manufacturing cost thereof remains low. Further, as thediffraction gratings - Now, operations of the optical displacement sensor constructed as described above will be explained. In this embodiment, the beam emitted from the
semiconductor laser 101 is incident on the rear surface of the package containing the light-receivingelements opening 141 in the leadframe bed portion 104, is transmitted and diffracted by thediffraction grating 109A formed on the package surface and is divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R0, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R-1, and so on, which are emitted from the package. - The beam R0 advancing rectilinearly through the
diffraction grating 109A is reflected and diffracted at a point P1 on adiffraction grating 110A formed on thescale 110 to be divided into the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1, wherein phases of the divided beams are modulated. - The phase of the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 is shifted by + 2πx/P and that of the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 is shifted by - 2πx/P, where x is the shifting amount of the
diffraction grating 110A of thescale 110; and P is the pitch of thediffraction grating 110A. - Description similar to that of the
diffraction gratings diffraction gratings 109B' and 109C', so the description of thediffract gratings 109B' and 109C' is omitted. The (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 is transmitted through and diffracted by thediffraction grating 109B formed on the package surface to be divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R0 +1 0, the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 -1 and other beams, of which the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 +1 -1 is taken out vertically from the diffraction grating surface and the phase of its wave front is + 2πx/P. - The (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 is transmitted through and diffracted by the
diffraction grating 109C formed on the package surface to be divided into the 0th-order diffracted light R0 -1 0, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 +1 and other beams, of which the (-) lst-order diffracted light R0 -1 +1 is taken out vertically from the diffraction grating surface and the phase of its wave front is - 2πx/P. - If the
diffraction gratings - The (+) lst-order diffracted light R+1 diffracted by the
diffraction grating 109A formed on the surface of thetransparent resin 106 is reflected and diffracted at a point P2 on thediffraction grating 110A on thescale 110 to be divided into the (-) lst-order diffracted light R+1 -1, the 0th-order diffracted light R+1 0 and other beams, while their phases are modulated. Among the beams, the (+) lst-order diffracted light R-1 +1 has its phase shifted by + 2πx/P and is incident on the diffraction grating 9B, while the phase of the wave front of the rectilinearly advancing 0th-order diffracted light R-1 +1 0 is + 2πx/P. - The beams R+1 -1 0 and R0 +1 -1 have their courses overlapped with each other at the
diffraction grating 109B to be interference light, which is incident on the light-receivingelement 102B. At this time, the interference phase isdiffraction grating 110A on thescale 110 is shifted by 1/2 of the pitch. - The beams R-1 +1 0 and R0 -1 +1 have their courses overlapped with each other at the
diffraction grating 109C to be interfere light, which is incident on the light-receivingelement 102C. At this time, the interference phase isdiffraction grating 110A on thescale 110 is shifted by 1/2 of the pitch, and timing of the occulting signal here is shifted from that of the occulting signal at the light-receivingelement 102B by 1/4 of one cycle. - As the
diffraction gratings 109A' and 109B' are arranged so that the phases of thediffraction gratings 109A' and 109A, as well as those of thediffraction gratings 109B' and 109B, are shifted from each other by P/2, the phases of the wave fronts from thediffraction gratings 109A' and 109A, as well as those of the wave fronts from thediffraction gratings 109B' and 109B, are shifted from each other by π. Therefore, the light-receivingelements 102B' and 102C' receive respective occulting signal with the timing shifted from that of the above-mentioned respective corresponding occulting signals by 1/2 of one cycle. Signals from the light-receiving elements are converted into a two-phase signal which is obtained from the differential signal of the outputs from the light-receivingelements elements scale 110 can be obtained by the well-known methods. -
Fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an unclaimed example, wherein the same portions as those in the previous embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. - In this unclaimed example, the metal mold for transfer molding, which is used to seal the light-receiving
elements 102 in thetranslucent resin 106, has a convex part to form aconcave portion 161 in the package. The concave portion has dimensions in which aconvex lens 108 and the package do not interfere with each other as described later. The package containing the light-receivingelements 102 has the same construction as that ofEmbodiment 1 except for the above-mentioned respect. - In this unclaimed example, a
glass substrate 191 is coated with a resist, patterns of the diffraction gratings are drawn by exposure, and the resist is developed. Then, theglass substrate 191 is dry-etched to carve the diffraction gratings on theglass substrate 191, and the resist is removed. Next, theconvex lens 108 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which thediffraction grating 109A for the emitted beam is formed, wherein theconvex lens 108 is transferred onto theglass substrate 191 by using the metal mold and the resin curable with ultraviolet rays as the diffraction gratings ofEmbodiment 1 are formed. - Next, the
diffraction gratings concave portion 161 is provided in the package so that theconvex lens 108 formed on the glass substrate is not interfered with the package. - The package having the diffraction gratings and the
convex lens 108 formed over the light-translucent resin 106 as described above is positioned on thesemiconductor laser holder 105 containing thesemiconductor laser 101 so that the light-emitting center of the semiconductor laser is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to theconvex lens 108. Then, the package is bonded fixedly to thesemiconductor laser holder 105. - Subsequently,
electric terminal 1 are connected with corresponding lead wires to make the head of the optical displacement sensor. Operations thereof are the same as those described above. - In this unclaimed example, the divergent beam emitted from the
semiconductor laser 101 is collimated or focused to realize the optical displacement sensor which has increased intensity of signal light and whose signal is hard to change against disturbance caused by attachment of the sensor or positioning thereof in operation. -
Fig. 19 is schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 2, where the same members as those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals.Fig. 20 is a top view of the lead frame unit. - In this embodiment, an LED serving as the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are contained in the same light-translucent resin package. Thus, when in the package the divergent beams from the LED, the light-emitting element are incident on the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements, SN ratio is reduced. Therefore, the bed portion of the
lead frame 104 on which theLED 111 is mounted is made higher by press machine than the bed portion on which the light-receiving elements are mounted. - In the lead frame having such a shape, the difference in height between the light-emitting portion of the
LED 111 and the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements is large enough to reduce the amount of light from theLED 111 which is unnecessarily incident on the light-receiving portions. - On thus prepared transparent resin package, diffraction gratings are formed in the same manner as that of
Embodiment 1. Operations thereof are the same as those described above. - As the optical displacement sensor constructed as described above contains the light-emitting element, the apparatus is very small, is capable of preventing stray light within the package and ensuring high SN ratio, and is manufactured at very low cost.
-
Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 3, andFig. 22 is a top view of the lead frame unit thereof. The same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals. - In this embodiment, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving elements are also, as in
Embodiment 2, contained in the same light-translucent resin package, wherein the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portions are mounted at a sufficient height in order to improve SN ratio. - Accordingly, in this embodiment, the
base 102 of the light-receiving elements is larger and common to the four light-receiving elements. The base is mounted on the lead frame, then theLED 111 is mounted on a part of the surface other than the light-receiving portions of the light-receiving elements and the lead electrode portions. Subsequently, respective electrode portions are connected with corresponding electric terminals of the lead frame by wire bonding. Then they are air-hermetically sealed in thetransparent resin 106 to make the package. - The
diffraction gratings 109 are formed on the light-translucent resin surface in the same manner as that ofEmbodiment 1. Operations thereof is also the same as those described above. -
Fig. 23 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 4, andFig. 24 is a top view of the same. The same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals. - In this embodiment, also the optical displacement sensor is constructed as described above. As shown in
Fig. 23 , however,further grooves 161 are formed between the light-emitting center and the light-receiving portions in the light-translucent resin 106 in order to prevent scattered light from theLED 111 serving as the light-emitting element from being incident on the light-receiving portions inside the package, thereby intercepting the internal scattered light before it reaches the light-receiving portions. Thegrooves 62 are formed by the same method employed in connection with the example shown byFig. 18 except that the metal mold used for forming the package has portions corresponding to the shape of the grooves. -
Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectionalview showing Embodiment 5, andFig. 26 is a top view of the lead frame unit of the same. The same members as those described above are indicated by the same reference numerals. - This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiments except that the light-receiving
elements 102 have their surfaces between theLED 111 and the light-receiving portions coated with light-absorbingcoating material 112 so that prevent multiple reflection at the package surface and the shielding aluminum on the surfaces of thelight receiving elements 102, thereby preventing scattered light from being incident on the light-receiving portions. - As the light-emitting elements used in the respective embodiments described above, semiconductor lasers, light-emitting diodes, and the like may be employed.
- As the light-receiving elements, photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes, pin photodiodes, CCDs, as well as light-receiving ICs having the above light-receiving elements and circuits for amplifying or processing output photocurrents, may be employed.
- Methods for manufacturing the gratings serving as optical components include: the replica method in which a mold is formed, resin curable with ultraviolet rays is cast into the mold, a transfer member is put thereon, and resin is exposed to ultraviolet rays to be cured and transferred onto the transfer member; the etching method in which a glass substrate is coated with a resist, patterns are drawn by exposure through a mask or a reticle, the resist is developed and etching is carried out; and so on. Otherwise, the resist may be directly drawn with an EB (electron beam) previous to development and etching. Further, after exposure of the resist described above, the gratings may be obtained by hard-bake. The gratings are formed immediately on the surface of the
translucent resin 106. - Furthermore, SN ratio can be further improved by combining the above-mentioned respective embodiments.
- The above-mentioned embodiments can improve airtightness of the light-emitting elements or the light-receiving elements, thereby realizing the optical detection apparatus which can be easily manufactured with high precision and can maintain said high precision.
Claims (7)
- An apparatus for detecting information relating to displacement of an object (20; 209; 110) on which a grating scale (20a; 209; 110A) is affixed, comprising:a beam-emitting system for irradiating the grating scale (20a; 209; 110A) with a beam and having a light source (41; 1; 101; 111); andat least one light-detecting element (45, 46; 50; 32B, 32C; 102B, 102C; 102) having a photoelectric conversion surface (53) and a grating unit (56; 57; 55, 54; 53, 57) being integrally formed on at least a part of the surface of said photoelectric conversion surface for detecting a beam from said grating scale which is irradiated by the beam from said beam-emitting system;said beam-emitting system further has a first diffraction grating (44; 32A; 109A) for splitting beams from said light source, at least two beams of diffracted light from the first diffraction grating are incident on said grating scale as a second diffraction grating; andwherein grating portions of said grating unit are formed, immediately, on the surface of a light-translucent resin (106) which air-hermetically seals said light-detecting element, andwherein said grating unitsynthesizes at least two beams of diffracted light from said grating scale andhas a light transmission portion in the shape of a grating whose pitch is the same as the pitch of the interference fringe formed by at least two beams of diffracted light from said grating scale and an information relating to displacement of the object is detected on the basis of detection by said light-detecting element,and whereinsaid light split by said first diffraction grating travels via a first light path towards said grating scale as a second diffraction grating, said second diffraction grating being a reflecting type diffraction grating, andsaid light diffracted by said second diffraction grating travels via a second light path towards said grating unit, said first and second light paths being different from each other.
- An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
a plurality of said light-detecting elements (102B, 102C; 102) are provided on a same base member (104). - An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
a plurality of said light-detecting elements are provided (109B, 109B', 109C, 109C'), and said grating units of said elements have light transmission portions in the shape of a grating whose phases are different from each other in the direction in which displacement of said grating scale is measured. - An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
said grating unit consists of several portions of diffraction gratings (56; 57; 54, 55). - An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
grating patterns of grating portions of said grating unit are formed by lithography technique. - An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
said light source is also air-hermetically sealed in said light-translucent resin. - An apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that
said first diffraction grating is formed, immediately, on the light-translucent resin surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP197909/92 | 1992-06-30 | ||
JP19790992A JP3221079B2 (en) | 1992-06-30 | 1992-06-30 | Encoder |
JP4344573A JPH06196726A (en) | 1992-12-24 | 1992-12-24 | Light receiving element, and displacement detector equipped with this light receiving device |
JP344573/92 | 1992-12-24 | ||
JP347413/92 | 1992-12-28 | ||
JP4347413A JPH06204508A (en) | 1992-12-28 | 1992-12-28 | Optical detector |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0577088A2 EP0577088A2 (en) | 1994-01-05 |
EP0577088A3 EP0577088A3 (en) | 1994-03-23 |
EP0577088B1 EP0577088B1 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
EP0577088B2 true EP0577088B2 (en) | 2010-10-20 |
Family
ID=27327435
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP93110388A Expired - Lifetime EP0577088B2 (en) | 1992-06-30 | 1993-06-29 | Displacement information detection apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5657125A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0577088B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69320716T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5486923A (en) † | 1992-05-05 | 1996-01-23 | Microe | Apparatus for detecting relative movement wherein a detecting means is positioned in the region of natural interference |
JPH09196705A (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 1997-07-31 | Mitsutoyo Corp | Displacement measuring apparatus |
JP3631551B2 (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 2005-03-23 | 株式会社ミツトヨ | Optical encoder |
DE19855307B4 (en) | 1998-02-20 | 2005-09-29 | Dr. Johannes Heidenhain Gmbh | Scanning unit for an optical position measuring device |
JPH11326603A (en) * | 1998-05-19 | 1999-11-26 | Seiko Epson Corp | Microlens array and its production thereof, and display |
JP2000337816A (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2000-12-08 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Optical type displacement sensor |
JP3589621B2 (en) * | 2000-07-03 | 2004-11-17 | 株式会社ミツトヨ | Method of manufacturing photoelectric encoder and sensor head thereof |
JP3622960B2 (en) * | 2002-02-20 | 2005-02-23 | 株式会社ハーモニック・ドライブ・システムズ | Projection type encoder |
EP1345082A1 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-09-17 | ASML Netherlands BV | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method |
US7091475B2 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2006-08-15 | Mitutoyo Corporation | Miniature 2-dimensional encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels |
JP4520121B2 (en) * | 2003-08-08 | 2010-08-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Optical encoder |
DE102004042670B4 (en) | 2003-09-02 | 2018-07-12 | CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH | Microoptical emitter and receiver system |
JP4408040B2 (en) * | 2003-11-28 | 2010-02-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Measurement method and apparatus using interference, exposure method and apparatus using the same, and device manufacturing method |
CN100342216C (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2007-10-10 | 山西大学 | Displacement sensor with single grating |
JP4661445B2 (en) * | 2005-08-12 | 2011-03-30 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Encoder |
JP2009509156A (en) * | 2005-09-21 | 2009-03-05 | コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ | System for detecting the motion of an object |
FR2913492B1 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2009-04-24 | Nat De Metrologie Et D Essais | OPTICAL METROLOGY SYSTEM |
JP5562076B2 (en) * | 2010-03-10 | 2014-07-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | Optical encoder and displacement measuring device |
US20110303832A1 (en) * | 2010-06-14 | 2011-12-15 | Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab | Spatial Detection on an Electronic Device Using Optical Coding |
WO2014131951A1 (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2014-09-04 | Osmos Sa | Optical measurement device having a reference channel and a measurement channel, and related method |
WO2018156702A1 (en) * | 2017-02-23 | 2018-08-30 | Nikon Corporation | Measurement of a change in a geometrical characteristic and/or position of a workpiece |
DE102019109469A1 (en) | 2019-04-10 | 2020-10-15 | Vishay Semiconductor Gmbh | Optical encoder |
CN110715599B (en) * | 2019-09-20 | 2021-01-12 | 中国科学院长春光学精密机械与物理研究所 | LED light source position adjusting device in grating ruler light source component |
JP7475973B2 (en) | 2020-06-08 | 2024-04-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | Optical Encoder and Control Device |
DE102020119511A1 (en) * | 2020-07-23 | 2022-01-27 | Ic-Haus Gmbh | Process for producing an optoelectronic component |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4499374A (en) * | 1981-06-01 | 1985-02-12 | Mitutoyo Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Photoelectrical encoder employing an optical grating |
DE3311118C2 (en) * | 1983-03-26 | 1986-04-17 | Dr. Johannes Heidenhain Gmbh, 8225 Traunreut | Encapsulated photoelectric measuring device |
US4668093A (en) * | 1983-06-13 | 1987-05-26 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Optical grating demodulator and sensor system |
JP2586120B2 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1997-02-26 | キヤノン株式会社 | encoder |
JP2629948B2 (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1997-07-16 | キヤノン株式会社 | encoder |
JPH0625675B2 (en) * | 1989-08-30 | 1994-04-06 | オ−クマ株式会社 | Averaged diffraction moire position detector |
DE4006789A1 (en) * | 1990-03-03 | 1991-09-05 | Zeiss Carl Fa | Optical scanning system for raster measurement graduations - has light sensor as doped regions in semiconducting substrate with grids applied during mfr. |
US5155355A (en) * | 1991-04-25 | 1992-10-13 | Mitutoyo Corporation | Photoelectric encoder having a grating substrate with integral light emitting elements |
US5283434A (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1994-02-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Displacement detecting device with integral optics |
-
1993
- 1993-06-29 EP EP93110388A patent/EP0577088B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-06-29 DE DE69320716T patent/DE69320716T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-05-30 US US08/454,501 patent/US5657125A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69320716T2 (en) | 1999-03-25 |
DE69320716D1 (en) | 1998-10-08 |
EP0577088A3 (en) | 1994-03-23 |
EP0577088A2 (en) | 1994-01-05 |
EP0577088B1 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
US5657125A (en) | 1997-08-12 |
DE69320716T3 (en) | 2011-05-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0577088B2 (en) | Displacement information detection apparatus | |
EP0603905B1 (en) | Displacement detection apparatus | |
US5534693A (en) | Optical displacement detection apparatus employing diffraction gratings and a reference position sensor located on the scale | |
EP0548848B1 (en) | Displacement detecting device | |
JP3478567B2 (en) | Rotation information detection device | |
JP5619421B2 (en) | Optoelectronic read head | |
JP3028716B2 (en) | Optical displacement sensor | |
US6486467B1 (en) | Optical detector for measuring relative displacement of an object on which a grated scale is formed | |
US7473886B2 (en) | Position-measuring device | |
JP4912801B2 (en) | Optical encoder | |
KR100190314B1 (en) | Optical sensor | |
EP0451780B1 (en) | Encoder | |
JP2003166856A (en) | Optical encoder | |
EP0672891B1 (en) | Optical displacement sensor | |
JP4812189B2 (en) | Optical detector | |
US6794638B2 (en) | Photoelectric encoder having improved light-emitting and photoreceptive sections | |
US7053361B2 (en) | Projection encoder with moving side gratings and fixed side gratings | |
JPH05340719A (en) | Optical displacement sensor and driving system using it | |
JP2005049345A (en) | Optical displacement sensor | |
JPH06196726A (en) | Light receiving element, and displacement detector equipped with this light receiving device | |
JP2003161646A (en) | Photoelectric encoder | |
JPH06204508A (en) | Optical detector | |
JP2003106802A (en) | Contact type digital displacement measuring device | |
JPH10188334A (en) | Optical head and its assembling method | |
JP2010151549A (en) | Optical encoder |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19940805 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19960103 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69320716 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19981008 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: BOVARD AG PATENTANWAELTE |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
PLBF | Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH Effective date: 19990527 |
|
PLBF | Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO |
|
PLAW | Interlocutory decision in opposition |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IDOP |
|
APAC | Appeal dossier modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS NOAPO |
|
APAE | Appeal reference modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REFNO |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
APBY | Invitation to file observations in appeal sent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBA2O |
|
APBU | Appeal procedure closed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9O |
|
APCA | Receipt of observations in appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBA4O |
|
APCA | Receipt of observations in appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBA4O |
|
APAH | Appeal reference modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO |
|
APBP | Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2O |
|
APAH | Appeal reference modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO |
|
APBP | Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2O |
|
APBQ | Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3O |
|
APBQ | Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3O |
|
APAL | Date of receipt of statement of grounds of an appeal modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCNOA3O |
|
APBU | Appeal procedure closed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9O |
|
PUAH | Patent maintained in amended form |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED |
|
27A | Patent maintained in amended form |
Effective date: 20101020 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B2 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: AEN Free format text: AUFRECHTERHALTUNG DES PATENTES IN GEAENDERTER FORM |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PFA Owner name: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA Free format text: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA#30-2, 3-CHOME, SHIMOMARUKO, OHTA-KU#TOKYO 146 (JP) -TRANSFER TO- CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA#30-2, 3-CHOME, SHIMOMARUKO, OHTA-KU#TOKYO 146 (JP) |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20120630 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20120620 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20120618 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20120626 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20120611 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20120712 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 69320716 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: V4 Effective date: 20130629 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: PE20 Expiry date: 20130628 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20130628 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20130702 |